South Africa 24 New Zealand 25: Springboks push All Blacks all the way despite late red card

Their rivalry might have died a few weeks ago with the 57-0 drubbing in Albany, but South Africa did their best to resurrect one of rugby's famous duels in a 25-24 thriller at Newlands, won by the All Blacks despite a world-class effort from Malcolm Marx and Springbok defiance.

Only in the final ten minutes did New Zealand really do enough to secure the result, Damian McKenzie's try in the corner and resulting conversion coming minutes before South Africa lost Damien de Allende to a red card for a late forearm charge for Lima Sopoaga.

Cape Town had waited nine years for a Test between these two sides and the occasion never disappointed.

For nearly every blistering counter-attack by the All Blacks there was a Springbok turnover to match it, usually by Marx, emulating the great performances in recent times of his predecessor Bismarck du Plessis. The fact that he missed out on the Man of the Match award was a crime.

Nehe Milner-Skudder was the chief supplier of magic in the early stages, including one particularly audacious offload around his back to Aaron Smith, but unlike in their previous romps the tries didn't flow as easily.

Louw, Du Toit, Kolisi, De Jager and Dreyer during the South African anthemCredit: EPA

Elton Jantjies and Beauden Barrett traded early penalties before New Zealand moved ahead, not long after Rieko Ioane had been denied by a desperate tackle from Andries Coetzee as he reached for the line.

Ryan Crotty's try was less clear cut initially, resulting from a Jantjies charge down by Barrett who then hacked on, with the resulting chaos brought to a close by Crotty as he promptly dove on the ball, failing to ground, and instead knocking it back under his chest with the resulting down pressure leading to a score and an 8-3 lead.

Twice South Africa kicked to touch after the half-time hooter, the new laws allowing them to take the lineout, which led to the game clock hitting 50 minutes before the first half was finally wrapped up.

South Africa's response was excellent, Ross Cronje with composed finish against the base of the post all stemming from a smart lineout move that let Marx loose rampaging down the touchline.

Ioane's interception swung the gameCredit: AFP

Jantjies' conversion edged the Springboks ahead but all New Zealand need is a sniff of a mistake. When a shoveled pass went forward off Courtnall Skosan, Ioane was there to pounce, sprinting away to make the score 15-10.

Another quick reply from the hosts, scoring through Jean-Luc du Preez following Marx's break and assist, hinted that South Africa's recent record of two wins in 16 matches against the All Blacks was on the verge of improvement.

Not so fast. South Africa were better, far better, but were still undone by a David Havili run to release McKenzie and then De Allende's contentious red card, although why he put himself in that position in the first place is a mystery.

New Zealand as a result wrap up the tournament with six wins from six and 28 out of 30 points, triumphant in Cape Town even with first-half injuries to Barrett and Milner-Skudder, not to mention missing Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Ben Smith and more.

Allister Coetzee's Springboks might have only managed two victories, yet he should take heart from the improved physicality and the emergence of Marx as a world-leading talent in what remains a young side ahead of travelling to Europe. Their supporters can believe again.

Eben Etzebeth

Post-match quotes coming up

Overheard over the referee's mic just then as the coverage closed out was Francois Louw saying "Champions Cup rugby next week!"

Put the Bath flanker in some ice, and the rest of the players. That was a hell of a Test. The rivalry might not be dead after all, although it has a long way to go. More of these fixtures will help that cause.

FULL-TIME: South Africa 24-25 New Zealand

Phases building, Boks now at the ten-metre mark in their half. Pressure building from the NZ defence, crowd on their feet as the hooter goes. Next play kills the game... NZ have turned it over! Sopoaga into touch and New Zealand win the Test match!

It's been a breathtaking clash and a tribute to the rivalry between these two proud rugby nations.

61 mins: South Africa 10-15 New Zealand

Cross-field kick from Sopoaga works out, ball bouncing but back into NZ hands. Tide starting to run. Big hit from Du Preez and then SA get the penalty... Marx again! He has been freakish over the ball at the breakdown today.

Malcolm Marx has more presence in this game than Serge Blanco in the buffet car. Incredible stuff.#RSAvNZL

52 mins: South Africa 10-8 New Zealand

Jantjies loses the kicking battle, All Blacks with a lineout around 35 metres out from the SA line. So close! The drift from Sopoaga and then inside ball to McKenzie nearly works, before his offload is touched back by an SA player.

CONVERSION JANTJIES! South Africa 10-8 New Zealand

TRY CRONJE! South Africa 8-8 New Zealand

Side to side SA go, big carries all round. Marx again at the five-metre line. Jantjies just short... advantage now played. SA are over! Cronje sniped from close range and gets his second Test try to level the scores.

40+7 mins: South Africa 3-8 New Zealand

Smith with the turnover, maybe NZ will have the final say. Grubber from SBW, fielded by Coetzee. SA trying to play out of their half.

After going nowhere Coetzee goes for touch... and misses! That might hurt the hosts.

All a bit ragged as McKenzie loops with Cane, breathless end to the first half. Squire needs a big tackle as he gets to the 40-metre line. Now up to ten phases, well into overtime. Good counter-ruck from SA but still NZ's ball, reaching the 22.

Penalty SA! Another at the ruck, looks like De Allende. SA go to touch which remember doesn't kill the half now given it went out directly, SA want to play.

Unreal end to this first half, seven minutes into the red, and SA get a penalty! Milner-Skudder worryingly down on the ground as Jantjies lines up a kick to the corner. This half will rumble on.

32 mins - South Africa 3-8 New Zealand

TRY CROTTY! South Africa 3-8 New Zealand

Long review, with the footage suggesting that Crotty knocked on. No knock-on from B.Barrett in the build-up when he tried to gather it. Final decision... TMO taking one more look as the official take their time.

Credit: SKY SPORTS

So, Crotty effectively knocks it back onto his stomach, with that downward pressure leading to the try being awarded! First of the match as NZ go ahead.

24 mins - South Africa 3-3 New Zealand

22 mins - South Africa 3-3 New Zealand

Action kept in midfield as both teams kick for territory. SA if I'm correct yet to end NZ's 22. Barrett spills a high kick and here come the Boks, Kitshoff running hard.

Now wide as they reach the 22, but Cronje is turned over! NZ trying to counter through Milner-Skudder whose step and offload is completely absurd. Wow again. Play breaks down as we stop for a scrum, Garces speaking to Laulala and Du Toit.

16 mins - South Africa 3-3 New Zealand

13 mins - South Africa 3-3 New Zealand

All Blacks building phases up the short side, good ball retention. SBW crashes to the 22 but that looks like a turnover... not quite, Marx very close.

Phase count hits 10, B.Barrett, Laulala x2 and Ioane all getting touches. After 15 phases and some excellent defence, the Boks win a turnover penalty. Kitshoff phenomenal at the breakdown and SA can get out of danger. Quick chat between Kolisi, S.Barrett and Garces after an unnecessary late charge at the ruck from the Kiwi lock.

8 mins - South Africa 0-0 New Zealand

7 mins - South Africa 0-0 New Zealand

Milner-Skudder with the most audacious offload of the year, surely. Wow. Nearly leads to a try on the counter for NZ for Aaron Smith but South Africa recover and clear. Read then knocks on at the lineout, good contest from Etzebeth.

4 mins - South Africa 0-0 New Zealand

First scrum of the day, SA's pack slightly heavier at 913kg to NZ's 904kg. New loosehead for the Boks with Kitshoff in for Beast. SA on top in the opening engagements before Cronje's box kick. Back for a penalty against Hames for collapsing.

Welcome

Good afternoon everybody - Rugby Championship coverage for you this afternoon on the final day of the tournament, which starts with the rematch between South Africa and New Zealand at Newlands.

Sorry for bringing this up Springbok fans, but the reading of recent history between these two giants of the sport is not exactly pleasant if you're wearing green and gold - and that was before the 57-0 thrashing in Albany.

The All Blacks have won 14 out of the last 16 - gulp - and are back to full strength having rested a number of frontline operators for their trip to Buenos Aires to face Argentina.

Teams below: Lood de Jager makes a first start since the defeat to Wales last November. Pieter-Steph du Toit moves from lock to blindside flanker to give the Springboks more lineout options – both on attack and defence – on Saturday against the All Blacks in Cape Town.

In another change to the loose trio, Francois Louw will run out at No 8 in place of the injured Uzair Cassiem, while there is also a first Test start for Steven Kitshoff, who comes into the side as replacement for stalwart prop Tendai Mtawarira.

Kitshoff has played a record 18 matches off the bench in his position behind Mtawarira, the most-capped Springbok prop of all time with 95 caps to his name, who is unavailable for the match because of family reasons.

With Kitshoff earning his first start in the Springbok jersey, Wilco Louw has been drafted onto the bench. The former Junior Springbok and SA ‘A’ prop is the only uncapped player in the match 23.

De Jager, reacting after the Wales loss, is back in the sideCredit: GETTY IMAGES

As for the All Blacks, Sam Whitelock returns to the second row alongside Scott Barrett, Liam Squire is at blindside flanker and Sam Cane is at openside, with Matt Todd moving to the bench.

In the backs, Ryan Crotty has been named at centre, while Nehe Milner-Skudder is on the right wing. Tawera Kerr-Barlow has been named at reserve halfback while Lima Sopoaga provides additional back cover alongside David Havili.